CLIFTON -- Hundreds of Ukrainian families and friends, from children in brightly colored traditional costume to patriarchs and matriarchs, came together Sunday afternoon for the third annual festival on the grounds of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church on Vanderbilt Avenue in Clifton.

"This is a time for all Ukrainians to be together for a good time," said Father Vasile Godenciuc, the church's pastor.

Guests, sitting at convivial long tables under white tents, enjoyed traditional music, performing dance troupes, and copious homemade food prepared and served by members of the congregation.

"This is a way to keep our traditions, language, costumes and food, with everyone together," said Irina Baranova of South Beach, as she served generously-sized potato pancakes with sour cream.

Five-year-old Victoria Rudyy, from South Bound Brook, N.J., was one of the many colorfully costumed youngsters who danced on the stage throughout the afternoon to enthusiastic applause from the audience. "She's been dancing for a year," said her father, who noted that his son, Vlad, who will celebrate his eighth birthday on June 28, was performing later in the day. "This is a very nice festival, we like it the best."

Ukrainian families from Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey also joined the festivities, said Father Godenciuc, estimating that close to 1,000 people would be coming and going throughout the day, with about 600 of them from Staten Island.

"Some families celebrate birthdays at this festival," he said. "Today we have three groups of them."

Anastasia Kapoustina of South Beach was enjoying the afternoon, reporting that she feasted on potato dumplings, her favorite food, and then purchased a stunning turquoise necklace from the table of jewelry designer Olena Rafalovch, who was born in Poltava in Ukraine and now lives in Brooklyn.

Other tables at the festival included Ukrainian clothing, some of it traditionally embroidered, and elaborate headdresses covered with brightly colored flowers.

The beginning of the day's festivities included singing of the "Star-Spangled Banner" and Ukraine's National Anthem as the crowd stood.

"Last year, people were happier," noted Father Godenciuc, in a reference to the developments that have shaken Ukraine recently. "People have relatives living there. Every Sunday at mass we say special prayers for freedom."

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church enjoys a proud history, said Father Godenciuc's son, also named Vasile.

"In 1949, Ukrainians came to the U.S. and Staten Island from camps in Germany for the displaced," the younger Godenciuc explained. "Ten years later, (the Ukrainians on the Island) began construction of this church, and it took eight years. We are very, very proud of this church."